Composite or concrete fence-post.



PATBNTBD JULY 25 J. G. FAIRBANKS. COMPOSITE OR CONCRETE FENCE POST.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 3, 1904.

Witnesses Invn or,

b Y t ttomegs.

`JAMES G. FAIRBANKS, OF MAR-ION, OHIO.

COMPOSITE OR CONCRETE FENCE-POST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Lratented July 25, 1905.

Application filed December 3,1904. Serial No. 235,356.

To all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, JAMES Gr. FAIRBANKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marion, in the county of Marion and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Oomposite or Concrete Fence-Post, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to composite or con- Y -crete fence-posts.

Heretofore in the construction of posts of this character it has been customary to mold or embed the fastening devices for securing fence-wires thereto within the post at the time it is made. The objection to this procedure is that when the fastening devices rust or break it is impossible to replace them. lt has also been the practice to construct a fence-post of this character with transverse orifices to receive the wiresecuring devices; but these orifices have been disposed at right angles to the length of the post, and the result is that water will collect in the orifices and in freezing will damage the post.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a simple and effective means by which the wire-attaching members may be readily replaced in case of breakage, and, further, to render the orifices in which the wire-attaching members are disposed self-clearing of water, thereby positively precluding any damage which would otherwise result from freezing water.

Vith the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists, generally stated, in a composite fence-post provided with orifices obliquely disposed rela tively to the length of the post, thereby to render them self-clearing of water. c

The invention consists, further, in the novel construction and combination of parts of a composite fence-post, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form 'of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be Varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner-of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof.

vIn the drawings, Figure l is a view in front elevation, partly in section, exhibiting a fence-post with the strand-wires combined therewith. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the lines 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4L is an enlarged detail sectional view.

The body 1 of the fence-post is composed of concrete or any other suitable material capable of being molded to the desired shape and is vertically reinforced by metallic plates 2, which are embedded in the concrete and extend from end to end of the post. As herein shown there are but two of the reinforcing' elements 2 employed; but it is to be understood that, if desired, a greater number may be employed, and instead of being flat, as shown, they may be angular, corrugated, or of any other contour found of advantage in use.

Extending entirely through the post and at properly-spaced intervals are transverse orifices 3, which, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, are disposed obliquely or at slight inclines relatively to the length of the post, the object of this arrangement being' to render the orifices self-clearing of Water, thereby to prevent any formation of ice which would tend to cause destruction of the post. These oriices are provided to receive the binders or staples 4, which are adapted to embrace the strand-wires 5 and hold them properly positioned upon the post. Each binder or staple consists of a length of wire bent upon itself and passed over the strand-wire, with its crest in engagement therewith, the ends of the binder being projected beyondthe opposite side of the post and held combined therewith by being twisted around a nail or other suitable stop 6, which will serve as an abutment and will successfully withstand any drawing strain upon the binder which would tend to disconnect it from the post.

As herein shown the post is rectangular in cross-section; but it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to this precise contour, as it may be fluted, circular, or of any other contour and still be within its scope.

lt will be seen from the foregoing description that although the improvements of this invention are simple in character they Will be thoroughly effective in securing the objects defined, and by their employment all labor and loss of material heretofore attending the use of' the ordinary composite fence-post is positively obviated.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. The combination with a fence-post provided with an obliquely-disposed orifice eX- tending entirely therethrough, of a strandwire located at one side of the post.l an approximately U shaped binder extending through the orifice and in engagement with the strand-wire, and an anchor located at the other side of' the post and in engagement with said binder, the strand-wire and anchor thus being located at opposite ends of' the orifice, and that one which is at the lower end thereof being of less diameter than the orifice to permit of water therefrom.

2. rEhe combination with a fence-post provided with an obliquely-disposed orifice eX- tending entirely therethrough, of a strandwire and an anchor located at opposite sides of the post, and a binder connecting the same and extending through the orifice, said strand wire and anchor being of less sectional diameter than the orifice to permit escape of' water therefrom.

3. rlhe combination with a fence-post provided with an obliquely-disposed orifice eX- tending entirely therethrough, ofl a strandwire located on one side of' the post, an approximately U-shaped binder having its crest in engagement with the wire and its terminals projected beyond the other side of the post at the lower end of the orifice, and an anchor around which the terminals of the binder are secured, the anchor being' of less cross-diameter than the orifice to permit escape of' water therefrom.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my Own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES G. FAIRBANKS.

Witnesses:

J. Ross CoLHoUN, C. E. DOYLE. 

